Directive 12.13 Missing persons, Flashcards

Question

According to Directive 12.13 Missing persons, Elderly persons ________? years or older where there is a medical diagnosis or history of senility, dementia or diminished mental capacity

Answer 1

Their placement home not original residents

Answer 2

The Patrol supervisor

Answer 3

Abducted child 18 and under

Answer 4

A. The purpose of the Amber Alert Plan is to locate missing children within hours of a child abduction. Statistics show that the sooner information about these missing children is communicated, the better the chances are of finding them alive. The primary purpose of a sexual predator is sexual exploitation. The gender of abducted children under the age of six (6) usually makes no difference to the predator. Abducted children above the age of eleven (11) are predominantly female. In almost all of these cases the children are killed after they are sexually exploited. Forty-four percent (44%) are killed within the first hour, seventy-four percent (74%) are killed within the first three hours, less than one percent (1%) survive a full day and forty percent (40%) are dead before they are even reported missing. _

Answer 5

A. The “Amber Alert” program is a cooperative plan between the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Pennsylvania police agencies. The plan calls for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to provide participating media outlets (radio and television stations) with critical information concerning a confirmed child abduction. Upon confirmation, the Philadelphia Police Department will notify the PSP with all available information surrounding the abduction. The PSP will confirm the accuracy of the information and issue an “Amber Alert” via the State EAS.

Answer 6

A. Before an alert is initiated the following criteria must be met: 1. The child is 18 years of age or younger, and 2. Police believe the child/person is in danger of serious bodily harm or death. This includes family-member abductions (e.g., custody disputes). B. If the above criteria are not met, an alert will not be initiated. Issued Date: 07-17-20 Effective Date: 07-17-20 Updated Date:

Answer 7

A. Investigating Officer will: 1. Gather and assess pertinent information at the scene. 2. Determine if the criteria has been met to activate an “Amber Alert” : a. The child is eighteen (18) years of age or younger, AND b. The child/person is in danger of serious bodily harm or death. 3. If the officer believes that the criteria has been met, request the presence of a supervisor to their location. 4. If it is determined that the above criteria has been met, the investigating officer will immediately contact Police Radio to advise them of an “Amber Alert” and request them to notify the Special Victims Unit (SVU), per Directive 5.25, “Rape and Other Sexual Offenses” of the abduction.

Answer 8

5. Provide Police Radio with flash information to include a description of the child, suspect(s), and any vehicle involved so that this information can be made available to local police. The officer will then take the complainant to the Special Victims Unit along with the paperwork so that any further details may be ascertained by the detective that may help in recovering the missing child. Any uncompleted paperwork can be completed upon arrival at the Special Victims Unit.

Answer 9

6. If it is determined that there is a crime scene, the investigating officer will follow the procedures set forth in Directive 4.1, “Responsibilities at Crime Scenes” and request the supervisor to assign someone to preserve the integrity of the scene. 7. If it is determined that the above criteria has not been met, the investigating officer will continue to process the incident as a missing person according to Directive 12.13, “Missing Persons

Answer 10

1. Respond to the location of the investigating officer to establish if the abduction meets the Amber Alert criteria and authorize activation. 2. If it is determined by the supervisor that all criteria has been met, the supervisor will immediately telephone PCIC at (215) 686-3174 or 3175 and provide them with the following information: a. They have a founded abduction and are requesting an “Amber Alert” b. Date. c. DC Number. d. Name of Victim. e. Date and Time Victim Last Seen. f. Sex of Victim. g. Race of Victim. h. Height and Weight of Victim. i. Hair and Eye Color of Victim. j. Date of Birth of Victim. k. Any additional information (e.g., description of car abductor was driving, description of abductor, direction taken by abductor, description of clothing worn by victim or any distinguishing characteristic or marks on either the victim or abductor). l. UCR Code (2641 - Kidnapping).

Answer 11

1. Transmit flash information over the divisional band and the citywide band. 2. Notify the Special Victims Unit of the abduction. 3. Upon confirmation from the PSP that an “Amber Alert” has been issued, announce a General Radio Message (GRM) with the Alert details and repeat this same message every 15 minutes for the first two (2) hours and then once every half hour for the next three (3) hours.

Answer 12

1. Review the paperwork and interview the complainant. 2. Complete and forward any additional information received to PCIC. 3. Ensure that the Special Victim’s investigator’s name is listed as the contact person on the Missing Person Message (MSPE) along with their telephone number. 4. If this abduction does not meet the criteria for an “Amber Alert,” the assigned detective will process the complaint appropriately.

Answer 13

1. Once the Philadelphia Crime Information Center (PCIC) operator receives the MSPE message and it is indicated that a child abduction has occurred, an entry will be made through the PCIC system with special coding designating this missing person entry as an “Amber Alert.” A copy of this information will be sent to the PSP Dispatch Center for the necessary action.

Answer 14

1. The PSP Dispatch Center will contact the PSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Criminal Investigations Assessment Unit with all information surrounding the abduction using the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assessment Network (CLEAN). The PSP will confirm the accuracy of the information and verify that the activation criteria are met. The PSP will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to receive this information. 2. Once the PSP have confirmed the accuracy of the information and verified the activation criteria, they will immediately transmit all relevant information surrounding the abduction to: a. Municipal and state law enforcement installations using the CLEAN system. b. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for activation of the EAS. 3. When the suspected abductor has been apprehended and/or the abducted child has been located, or in the event that an Amber Alert was issued erroneously, a follow- up CLEAN cancellation of the activation will go out to all police via PCIC.

Answer 15

1. Once the EAS is activated, participating local radio stations and television stations will broadcast news of the abduction and give information regarding the victim, the alleged abductor and any other pertinent information that may help in the apprehension of the abductor and recovery of the child. This broadcast information will occur once, unless new, timely information, critical to the viewing and listening public has become available. In that case, a second Alert will be issued. 2. The PSP website is located at http://www.psp.state.pa.us

Answer 16

1. PURPOSE A. SafetyNet by LoJack is a non-profit program designed to assist in locating people suffering from Autism, Down Syndrome or Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia type disorders. Persons afflicted with these adverse developmental conditions may not be able to independently protect themselves if lost. This program allows caregivers to enroll those suffering from these conditions to be fitted with a radio transponder bracelet, which can be used to help locate the missing person. B. The investigation for a missing person enrolled in the SafetyNet Program will be conducted within the guidelines of a Tender Age search (Refer to Directive 12.13 Appendix “A”).A)

Answer 17

A. When police personnel are informed that a person is missing, the person making the report will be asked if the missing person is enrolled in the SafetyNet program. If the missing person is enrolled, police personnel will: 1. Confirm enrollment by documentation of the caregiver or by requesting Police Radio to confirm. 2. If not already notified, notify Police Radio of the information and conditions, and request a patrol supervisor.

Answer 18

1. Determine whether the missing person is enrolled in the SafetyNet program and secure confirmation and frequency setting by calling 1-877-434-6384. 2. Dispatch a police officer and a patrol supervisor to the scene.3. Notify a supervisor in the Detective Division of Occurrence to have a trained Electronic Search Specialist (ESS) respond with the emergency locator equipment to the last known location of the missing person. a. If there are no trained personnel available in the Division of Occurrence, other Divisions will be contacted to locate the necessary operator(s). 4. Notify an Aviation Unit supervisor of the report. 5. Maintain a log on all reports of missing persons enrolled in the SafetyNet Program.

Answer 19

1. Ensure at least one (1) person from each letter group of each squad is trained as an Electronic Search Specialist (ESS) and available in the use of the SafetyNet equipment. Training will be requested through the Chief Inspector, Training and Education Services Bureau. 2. Ensure proper storage, maintenance and use of the SafetyNet equipment. Weekly testing of equipment will be conducted on Sunday during the day work tour of duty and documented on the Sending and Receiving Sheet (S&R). 3. Notify the SafetyNet Program, Customer Service at 1-877-434-6384 when the equipment is in need of repair or replacement. Additionally, SafetyNet will ensure that the batteries in transponder bracelets are replaced on a monthly basis and forward documentation to Chief Inspector, Training and Education Services Bureau.

Answer 20

Department of Human Services (DHS) personnel making reports pursuant to their official duties shall be exempt from the personal interview requirement and their reports shall be taken consistent with the policy outlined in Section 3-C.

Answer 21

The District or Detective Division | Lieutenant will decide if further detention or investigation is warranted.

Answer 22

A person of any age who is missing and is proven to be physically or mentally disabled, or is senile, thereby subjecting themselves or others to immediate danger.

Answer 23

A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the disappearance was not voluntary (i.e., abduction or kidnapping). NOTE: In the case of an abducted child, 18 and under, an “Amber Alert” should be initiated. Refer to Appendix “B.”

Answer 24

A person of any age who is in the company of another person under circumstances indicating that their physical safety is in danger.

Answer 25

JUVENILE - A person under 18 years of age who is not emancipated as defined by the laws of their state of residence and does not meet any of the criteria set forth in 1, 2, 3, or 5. Missing is defined as lost, abducted or kidnapped, the victim of a child custody dispute, or an apparent run away. a. Juveniles who are married or declared adults by court order are emancipated and will be investigated relative to the criteria set forth in 1, 2, 3, or 5. b. Tender age is defined as any juvenile under 10 years of age, subject to modification by the assigned investigator.

Answer 26

A person of any age who is missing after a disaster.

Answer 27

A person 18 years of age or older not meeting the criteria for entry in any other category, but who is missing and for whom there is reasonable concern for their safety. This category includes all persons between 18 and 21 years of age as per the federal Suzanne’s Law.

Answer 28

A person 65 years of age or older where there is a medical diagnosis or history of senility, dementia or diminished mental capacity

Answer 29

Juveniles, who are court committed, fall into one of two categories: delinquent or dependent. A juvenile who has been designated “delinquent” has been adjudicated by a juvenile court for a criminal offense. A “dependent” juvenile acquires this designation for non-criminal (status) offenses or social needs. Juveniles falling into either category will be considered missing from the location of their placement (foster home, etc.,) and not their original residence. The assigned investigator will communicate with the missing person team of the detective division of the original residence and request information and assistance, as necessary.